Mary Margaret was born April 3, 1910, in Glasgow, MO. She was the beloved daughter of Benjamin W. Heiman and his wife, Lezzetta A. Meyer Heiman.

She was predeceased by her younger brother and only sibling, Walter Heiman.

Mary Margaret enjoyed an idyllic childhood amongst many friends and relatives in a picturesque small town on the banks of the Missouri River. She married Joseph E. Milam in Glasgow, MO, a young professor and coach at a nearby college. They moved to Paris, MO, where they raised two children, Joanne Meyer of Rochester, MN, and Dr. Donald Milam of Kalamazoo, MI.

Both Joe and Mary Margaret were dearly loved and active members of the Paris community. Mary Margaret was a dedicated teacher whose career began in a one room schoolhouse and culminated in the local Junior High school. She cherished her relationships with her students and colleagues.

Mary Margaret was a lifelong member of the Methodist Church and PEO among other organizations. Her strong Christian faith held her in good stead throughout her life, bringing her great strength and understanding.

Mary Margaret dearly loved her family and took great pleasure in spending time with them. She enjoyed gardening, bird feeding, travelling and reading. She delighted in maintaining ties with friends and past students when she moved from Paris to the Four Seasons Retirement Center in Columbus in 2004.

Her strong and resilient spirit allowed her to meet life's challenges with an unsurpassed grace. Her warmth and liveliness nurtured friendships with people of all ages. The quintessential lifelong learner, she lived a full and abundant life. The legacy she leaves evokes the timeless lessons of old: loyalty, perseverance, integrity and love for one's fellow man.

T he funeral service for Mary Margaret will be conducted at 2:00 p.m., Wednesday, January 9, 2013, at Four Seasons Retirement Home Chapel in Columbus, IN, with Dr. Gary Schaar and Chaplain Phyllis Hawkins officiating. A reception will follow the service in the dining room.

Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Myers-Reed Chapel in Columbus, IN, where online condolences may be submitted to the family at www.myers-reed.com.

Calling hours will be from 4:00-7:00 p.m., on Friday, January 11, 2013, at the Paris United Methodist Church in Paris, MO.

A 2nd funeral service will be conducted at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, January 12, 2013, at the Glasgow United Methodist Church in Glasgow, MO, with Rev. Robert Frey officiating. Burial will be in Washington Cemetery in Glasgow, MO.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that memorial contributions in Columbus, IN, be made to Four Seasons Retirement Center or Our Hospice of South Central Indiana. Memorial contributions in Missouri may be made to Paris United Methodist Church.

Funeral arrangements in Glasgow, MO. are under the direction of Friemonth-Freese Funeral Service.